US intel: Sense of destiny drives China aggression

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chief of U.S. intelligence says China's aggressive pursuit of territorial claims in the seas of East Asia is driven by a sense of historical destiny and is causing great concern among countries in the region.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said China has pursued a very impressive military modernization that is designed to address America's own military strengths.

Clapper was responding to a question on China's recent actions in the East and South China Seas posed at a House Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats.

He said China has been greatly concerned by the increased U.S. attention to Asia, viewing it as an attempt at containment.

Clapper said China has been "quite aggressive in asserting in what they see as their manifest destiny."

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